Storms kill two in LA

Two people are dead after strong storms tore through Louisiana Thursday evening.

BY HEATHER MOYER | NEW IBERIA, La. |
January 5, 2007

Two people are dead after strong storms tore through Louisiana Thursday evening.

Authorities in Iberia Parish, La., say a tornado touched down Thursday near New Iberia, killing two people and injuring 15 others. The tornado also destroyed at least seven mobile homes and severely damaged several other homes, according to storm reports from the National Weather Service and the parish sheriff.

NWS officials will conduct storm surveys to determine whether the damage was caused by a tornado. Iberia Parish officials will also conduct damage assessments Friday.

The storm also brought heavy rains and flooding to other parts of the state, prompting La. Gov. Kathleen Blanco to declare a state of emergency for Acadia, Allen, Sabine and Vermillion parishes Thursday.

The powerful line of storms continued to move through the South Friday, bringing with it NWS watches and warnings for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes for parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. The NWS says high winds and heavy rain are expected, along with possible isolated tornadoes.

The region was already pummeled by strong storms over New Year's weekend. A tornado from those storms killed one person in Texas and caused damage near Waco and College Station.